Greece to roll out tool to block minors from gambling sites
The Kids Wallet tool would block access automatically via devices rather than accounts.
Greece.- A new digital tool to block minors from accessing online gambling and tobacco retail websites is to roll out in Greece, possibly as soon as next month. According to local media reports, the Kids Wallet tool will automatically block under 18s from accessing the sites and also restrict social media access for users under the age of 15.
The minimum age for gambling in Greece is 21, but it appears the app would only block under 18s. The state-developed app was launched in May, to allow parents to manage their children’s screen time and verify their ages through the government services portal. The block on gambling on tobacco sites will be added as a new feature.
The app verifies users’ ages and filters content directly on their devices, blocking access to restricted platforms automatically, even if users are not logged into specific accounts
By linking their tax identification credentials, parents can create joint accounts, set daily usage limits, and confirm age using official documentation. This process establishes a digital identity for the child, with parental consent no longer required once the child turns 15. The app remains optional for now, but it’s expected that prime minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis may announce plans to make it mandatory.
Greek authorities have reportedly engaged in consultations with tech companies, including Google, to ensure the system is technically sound and enforceable. A delegation from the European Commission is expected to visit Athens later this week to offer and receive technical input in order to align the initiative with EU-wide efforts to safeguard children online under the Digital Services Act (DSA).
The move reflects growing concern over the addictive nature of digital platforms, particularly among younger users. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen recently voiced support for establishing a minimum age for social media access. Speaking at the United Nations General Assembly in New York, she said many European Union countries agreed with a need to for such a measure, stating: the time has come for a ‘digital majority age’ for access to social media.
France, Spain, Denmark and Italy are already exploring age-based restrictions for social media, and Australia is to enforce age limits on social media and online dating platforms for users under 16 starting on October 10.
Greek gambling money laundering probe
The Greek gambling sector is currently facing scrutiny amid an investigation into money laundering allegedly involving government officials and civil servants. The Hellenic AML Authority claims to have identified a possible money laundering operation that involved around 200 people, with money often allegedly passed through gambling products.
Investigators say that those involved would open accounts on licensed gambling platforms to obtain a code linked to their profile. They would then go to an affiliated retailer, such as a gas station or convenience store to deposit large amounts of cash to their gambling account, avoiding bank transfers.
Last month, the government announced plans to clamp down on illegal gambling in Greece, both online and offline. The Ministry of National Economy and Finance has been tasked with creating a new legal framework for the detection and prosecution of unlicensed operators.
